For many of us it was a marker in our lives to walk down the church aisle and profess our belief in Jesus Christ. It was a proud moment to know that for all eternity we were His. There were those who cried tears of joy. Our parents and grandparents, maybe other family members, Sunday school teachers, others who had prayed for our salvation. It was not a thing we took lightly.
I am bothered by the way it is sometimes done today. “Every head bowed; every eye closed. If there are those who want to make Jesus their Savior and Lord today, just lift your hand. We don’t want to embarrass you, just lift your hand. If you’ve done that, we believe you are saved.”
Let’s ponder that a bit. The Father gave His Son for us in a humiliating, tortuous way. There should be a run down the aisle, not a hand raised with no one looking. Someone told me she would probably never have walked an aisle; she was too shy and wouldn’t want people looking at her. How do you think Jesus felt hanging naked and bleeding on a cross? How do you think His mother felt as she looked on?
It seems we’ve taught the world it’s okay to keep your belief in God a private matter. “Every head bowed; every eye closed.” Please ponder again. People can stand for their sports team without any hesitancy. They can display excitement. They can talk enthusiastically about a win. Yet the biggest win of all is eternal life and we hold back on that one. My mother said when she walked the aisle to profess faith, her Aunt Ollie shouted with joy. Aunt Ollie was mentally challenged, but the Holy Spirit enlightened her about that moment. I love Mother’s story.
I’m glad I professed faith in a time when walking the aisle to the preacher at the front was the only acceptable way. It was required. By so doing, you were publicly declaring that Jesus was your Savior and Lord. You stood at the front for people of the congregation to file by and congratulate you on your decision.
Professing Christ should be a proud and glorious moment for every believer. It is the beginning of our witnessing, and it’s the beginning of our eternal life.
Therefore, anyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father in Heaven. –Matthew 10:32 NASB
Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him . . . Acts 9:5
I remember the day so well. It was late afternoon and I was returning home from my grandparents’ house. I was deep in thought as I crossed the railroad tracks and began kicking rocks as I neared the highway. Running parallel, they ran through the center of our small town.
Our church was in one of our two yearly revivals; one in the spring and another in the fall. I never minded going to church every night for a week. In fact, I looked forward to the music that reached a new level with a packed house singing the hymns. Members of neighboring churches visited during revival, just like we visited when they held revivals. And, it was always exciting to see how good the visiting preacher would be.
The thing I was thinking so hard on was about the profession of faith people were invited to make each night as we sang the final hymn – the invitation hymn, it was called. Most often, it was Softly and Tenderly, I Surrender All, or Just as I Am. It was an emotional closing as people prayed for their loved ones to walk the aisle and make their decision for Christ.
I believe I was in the sixth grade and I had not yet made my public profession. I wasn’t resistant, I was confused. I had always believed in God and believed that Jesus was my Savior. What more was there? What was I missing? Lord, please tell me, I prayed.
When I got home, our pastor was sitting in our living room with my mother. He had come to talk to me about it all. This was something Baptist preachers did during the week of revival back in the day. I truly don’t remember a word he said, but during that time, it all became clear in my mind. Yes, I was saved and there was no mysterious other thing I was to learn or do. I had it all. But it was time to make my faith public. And that night I did.
All these memories rushed back a few days ago when I was reading Paul’s Damascus Road experience in Acts 9. The part about the light from heaven. When my pastor left, my mother and I embraced and it was suddenly as if the room was filled with the brightest sunlight and it seemed I could almost hear angels singing. It was an unforgettable experience. Thank you, Lord, for this!
I read that Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Graham’s wife, said she never knew the exact time she was saved because she had always believed. Her parents were missionaries and it was a part of her life just like it had been part of mine. I’m grateful God gave me a Christian family where He would be as real as the air I breathed.
So, here is my testimony. I share it with you as an encouragement to be sure things are settled in your heart, as well. There is nothing sweeter or more important than knowing we belong to Jesus. And there is never a more important time than right now.
Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals, He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
*This hymn was written by Will L. Thompson in 1880 and has been published in 866 hymnals.
I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.
–John 16:1 NLT
I believe I have blogged about my daughter’s healing from scoliosis in earlier years. I am feeling strongly to write about it again, perhaps providing more detail than previously.
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine. Double scoliosis is when the curve is both in the upper and lower parts. The spine becomes “S” shaped. That is the kind my daughter developed.
When Kristi was in junior high, she was referred to an orthopedic physician by our family doctor. She appeared to have an abnormal curvature of her spine. The ortho doc x-rayed and said it was very mild scoliosis and he believed it was nothing to be concerned about.
We went back for a routine follow-up some months later and this time the orthopedic physician was concerned. Very. He said there had been a dramatic increase in the curvature and he wanted Kristi to be seen by a specialist in another city.
My daughter was almost 14. Girls are so conscious of their bodies at that age. She was devastated. She didn’t want to see more doctors and have more examinations and pleaded with me to not take her to another doctor. I was working for a family practice physician at the time and I knew the treatment available then. It would most likely mean a body cast, so I was also devastated.
I’ve had faith for as long as I can remember. However, what I was about to hear from God took a bolder step than I had ever experienced. It came the next morning during Bible study.
I was reading about the people of faith in Hebrews 11. Not in an audible voice, but strong just the same, I heard God say I was to give this matter to Him and not see a specialist. It was so strong I wrote this at the top margin of my Bible: It is in faith that I ask that Kristi’s back be made straight again – that scoliosis will totally disappear so that there can be no misunderstanding that God interceded and healed with divine power. The date was 12-27-78.
Each day I prayed about Kristi’s back. Some days I would let my eyes fall on her back as she walked away from me, and my breath would catch. I would ask myself if I was doing the right thing by not having her seen by a specialist. Yet, I knew that I had heard God speak. I kept on praying and believing.
It was three and a half years later before I heard God speak again about Kristi’s back. It happened one morning as I had taken about three steps from my kneeling posture. (Yes, I pray all the hard battles on my knees; my grandmother taught me that.) I remember how I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard the whisper you forgot something. I asked what, and heard you forgot to pray about Kristi’s back. I went back to prayer posture and before I could say a word, God spoke again. Kristi’s back is healed.
I was overwhelmed with joy! It seemed the sun shot through the room with major intensity. That whole experience is burned in my mind and heart forever!
After very emotionally thanking God for His answer to prayer, I went straight to the telephone to make an appointment with the ortho doc who had diagnosed her. I didn’t doubt the healing, but now it was time to gather proof for testimony.
I called for an appointment and learned Dr. Johnson was out of the country on a mission trip. His office made an appointment for us with the physician covering for him at another location. I was to pick up her x-rays and take them with us.
When Kristi was diagnosed, I had not been shown the x-rays, which was common practice back then. I got home with the manila envelope of spine x-rays, opened it, and held them up to the window for viewing. I was not prepared for what I saw. There was a very strong “S” curvature of her spine. My first thought was what have I done to my child?! But that thought was immediately washed away by I have done what the Lord told me to do and I’m still trusting. I didn’t show them to my daughter.
The day of the appointment came to see the covering orthopedic physician. On examining Kristi, he said he saw no evidence of scoliosis but would do an x-ray. After a short wait, he came to the room and motioned for us to follow. He pointed to the screen where both x-rays were up. On the left was the x-ray that brought on the diagnosis and referral. On the right was that morning’s x-ray. There was no scoliosis!
I asked the physician how he explained it. He said he couldn’t. I responded that I could. God answered my prayers. He simply looked at the x-rays and didn’t comment.
On 6-11-81, I wrote alongside the first note I saw the x-ray that showed no scoliosis. Thank God! That was three and a half years of waiting for our miracle, but it came. We can trust God absolutely when we know He has spoken to us.
There is a scripture reference noted on that same page, Luke 22:44. It was about Jesus praying so earnestly that sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood. It had been my encouragement to pray as earnestly as I knew how for God’s healing.
I’m blogging on this today for two reasons: Maybe a new reader needs to hear this and not give up as they wait for an answer to prayer. God hears all prayers, not just the little ones. So if you have heard His direction on a matter, confidently trust and follow. The second reason is I just heard a sermon on the importance of telling about our miracles. The pastor said our testimony of miracles is the preparation for someone else’s miracle.
So, I close by asking you this. Do you have a miracle to tell? Examine your life closely. Find the miracle(s) and share your experience. Encourage someone as they wait by giving your testimony. Give it in specifics. God told Joshua to set up stones of remembrance so their miracles wouldn’t be forgotten. In some way, be sure you capture your miracles for future generations (Joshua 4:21-24).
It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.
–Daniel 4:2 ESV
For we cannot help but speak of the things we have seen and heard.
–Acts 4:20 ESV
Notes in my Bible as mentioned in the blog. Hold on to your remembrances.
We fall down, we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus.
This was the music playing to call our prayer group to worship. Suddenly came a strong vision of my grandmother kneeling before Jesus with her gaze fixed solidly on Him. She saw only the One she had loved all her life and it was if she were the only one in His presence when she placed her crown before His feet. Tears filled my eyes.
It was fitting that during this sacred moment such a strong vision of my grandmother would come. Seeing her with the Lord, giving back to Him the crown He had given her. While on this earth, she lived daily in His presence. She was constant in prayer and song was one of her ways of praying.
With Papa and Mama and my mother. The little quilted-brim sunbonnet would have been made by Mama or my mother.
My earliest memory of my grandmother, Dulcie Cotton Spencer, is of her kneeling beside her bed at bedtime in a white homemade nightgown. Her long braids that she wore wound around her head during the day were loosened to fall down her back at night. Mama prayed aloud. Maybe that was her way of including Papa in the nighttime prayers.
While too many of us have concern for our worldly possessions, how ours are stacking up against others, Mama’s concern was gathering up treasures for the king of Kings. She was instructing us in the word of God, sheltering us in His and her love, providing for the sick and grieving with pots of her famous Chicken and Dumplings, welcoming all into her home without regard for what she had to show. Mama and Papa lived a frugal life, but they always had money to help others — and they helped many. They had their priorities in order.
1950-51
Both of my grandparents had an intimate, abiding relationship with the Lord, but it was Mama who kept a song in her heart and on her lips. Every day, all day, Mama sang about the Jesus she loved. Ephesians 5:19 says speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and Mama did that. When she cooked, she sang. When she cleaned house, she sang. And when Mama ironed, she sang again.
Mama Dulcie especially loved songs about heaven. Two of the hymns I remember her singing a lot were When the Roll is Called Up Yonder and Ring the Bells of Heaven. If I close my eyes and sit very still, I can hear her sweet, joyful voice.
Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today, For a soul, returning from the wild! See, the Father meets him out upon the way, Welcoming His weary, wandering child.
Glory! Glory! How the angels sing: Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring! ‘Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea, Pealing forth the anthem of the free.
Thank you, Mama, for loving Jesus so much and teaching your children and grandchildren to love Him, too. Thank you that you never stopped singing about Jesus. You sang with strong and confident assurance because you knew Him so well. I look forward to being with you again and seeing the mansion Jesus prepared just for you, but for now I sing the song that you sang:
When the roll is called up yonder When the roll is called up yonder When the roll is called up yonder When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
______________________
I cherish letters from my grandmother. I was not able to be at the family gathering on Christmas of 1986, so she wrote to tell me about it. She closed out her letter with these words: I thank God every day for all my blessings. I know he hears me. I know He heard you, too, Mama, and I’m grateful for every prayer you offered with my name on it. I feel certain I’m still reaping the rewards.
My treasured picture with Mama, 1982, was made by The Jackson Sun when they published an article I wrote about Christmases at my grandparents’ house. Papa had died a few months before.
Prayerful Pondering 